Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-04-27
Mrs. Shoddy's Pictures.


A Mrs. Shoddy, of Boston, for even
in Boston specimens of this class ex-
ist, was discoursing the other evening
upon the sale of the Stewart
pictures in New York.
81 thought of going on,' she said,
"to buy some of the paintings, but
really have more pictures than know
what to do with. Of course there
were fine things in the Stewart sale,
but my own paintings, may say, are
really metriclOus-at least [ bought
them as such-and so [ concluded not
to compete with New York collectors. +"
The dear old dowager would be as
tonished if she knew how true her re-
mark was, little as she understood
the true significance of her epithet. A
good story is told of the way in which
she bought some OF her "metricious"
pictures. Several years ago she went
abroad, and took with her speci-
men OF the paper other drawing room,
in order that she might buy her pic
lures to harmOniZe-Or as she said to
match. An American artist in Paris
wrote home an account of her visit to
the studio of French artist of dis
tinction. The lady arrived onemorn-
ing by appointment, armed with her
specimen of wall paper, and stated
that the architect of her house had
told her to purchase g. picture OF 81 Civ
en- size for q certain space in her draw
ing room. The artist had no picture
of these dimensions, but he was clever
enough to understand the sort of
woman he WAS dealing with and I'M
scrupulous enough to take advantage
of her.
"This canvas" he said, showing her
painting he wished to sell, "isn't the
same measure as you want, because
we have the metric system in France,
and of course that is different; but it
is that measure translated into our
system. It is the neatest thing you
can get in this country"
The picture was half as large again
as she had asked for, but she received
this explanation in perfect good faith,
and proceeded to investigate the har-
mony of paper and picture. The
obliging painter arranged the wall ps!-
per behind the canvas, walked away
from the easel and cIapped his hands
in admiration.
"Ah, Madame" he said with a.
dramatic sigh, "you Americans are
such nation! have searched Paris
for g. proper background for this pic
ture and have not been able to find it;
and here you bring me precisely the
color of which have dreamed. If I
had that paper, would not sell you
the picture at ali, but now you must
have it if I give it to you."
And he did give it to her-in ex-
change for ST, 900.
At another studio she was less sue
cessful. She had been told whose
pictures she ought to buy, and applied
boldly to the leading painters of P eris.
The second artist whom shesaw, now
ever, treated her with what she feel
ingly describes as outrageous brutality.
When she produced her specimens of
wall paper, the old man brusquely in
terrupted her setting forth of her
wishes.
cit is of no use, Madame" he said
with great atfectation of regret and
earnestness. 81 never sell O. picture
on so slight grounds as mere harmony
with the paperhanging. So much de-
ponds upon the light that I never risk
my reputation without examining the
room in which the painting is to hang.
Did you bring your house with you?
II you didn't [ fear it is impossible for
us to come to an arrangement"